2024 Boulder County Plein Air Festival

The 2024 Boulder County Plein Air Festival is open to all artists 18 years and older in the United States practicing plein air painting in any painting medium. Artists must submit 5-10 JPEG images of their plein air artwork representative of the type, style, and medium they plan to create during the festival. Submitted images must be original works created entirely by the artist with no assistance or instruction. The non-refundable application fee is $55.00 per artist.

Up to 35 artists will be selected through a juried panel composed of practicing artists, teachers, collectors, and curators. Selected artists will be notified by email no later than February 15, 2024, and must confirm participation by March 1, 2024. All artwork must be completed in Boulder County on stamped surfaces during the official paint-out period between June 1-7, 2024, with a minimum of 90% finished in the field and 10% or less allowed for studio touch-up. Artists may submit up to five original works from the paint-out period for the exhibition and sale.

The exhibition and sale will be hosted at the Historic Niwot Feed Store Gallery in Niwot, Colorado, with an opening reception on Saturday, June 8th from 5:00-7:00 pm. All submitted works must be offered for sale at a minimum price of $400, set by the artist. Unframed canvases must be at least 1-3/8 inches in depth with finished edges; work on paper or boards must be appropriately framed and wired for hanging. Open Studios retains a 40% commission from sales, with 60% going to the artist. Artist voting for cash prize awards will take place at the opening reception based on the entire body of work displayed. Housing may be available for artists living more than two hours away upon request and availability.